When I Become a Superhero

June 3

I was kidnapped today for the fourth time this year. They took me straight out of my bed last night, and put me in blindfolds. I was tied to a chair for hours with duct tape strapped to my mouth. It was the worst. Then, this afternoon, they put me in a van, tossed me on my porch and drove off. I assume mom e-transfered my ransom.

You'd think you’d be safer living in a city full of superheroes, but Magna City is just as crime-riddled as the next, maybe even more so. When I walked through the front door, dad barely batted an eye while mom muttered something about the ransom being higher than last time. As though them being millionaires with little to no security isn’t the reason I keep getting kidnapped.

This wouldn’t even be a problem if superheroes actually did their jobs. They’ll let anyone become a super these days. Rarely any of them actually use their powers to help people, only to serve themselves. I swear, if the association ever chose me to become a superhero, I’d actually use my powers for good. To defend those who can’t defend themselves.

I think the worst part of this was that no one even cared that I was gone. If When I become a super, I’ll make sure no one feels that way.

My wrists still hurt from the rope burn as I'm writing this. But logging the details of my life is important. If this is the start of my superhero journey, I want people to know how I became the best super Magna City ever had.

June 8

A superhero got the key to the city today for doing jack all. He made a few saves throughout his career, but nothing deserving of this. Also, dad’s been on me about getting a job since I’ve been out of school for almost a year now. Two reasons why I can’t wait to hear back about my superhero application.

June 15

I GOT ACCEPTED! I’m gonna be a superhero!

The letter came in the mail today, along with the serum — a green liquid in a small vial. I waited all of five minutes before injecting it. Looked up a video online of how to do it right since my parents weren’t around to help.

I waited the entire day for my powers to kick in, but nothing. I heard some people get theirs in seconds, while others have to wait weeks. I guess I’ll have to wait and see.

June 16

Two words: Super. Strength. SUPER STRENGTH!!

Found out this morning when I pounded my alarm clock to turn it off and it shattered to pieces.

I spent the whole rest of the day testing my skills in the backyard. I punched a boulder half my height straight in two! And my fist didn’t feel a thing!

Also I can lift cars over my head, so that’s cool.

Criminals better watch out, because there’s a new hero in town.

June 17

I bought a crime radio. Every superhero has one, so I figured I should have one too.

I also figured out a schedule. I’ll be on the clock eight hours a day, five days a week. From 9 to 5, I’ll be patrolling the streets for any danger. Any time outside of that, I’ll be at home chilling. But in case of emergencies, I’ll be right back out there!

Superhero name brainstorm:

- Strong-man

- Super-Strong

- Punch-man

- Boulder

June 18

Hung out around downtown today. Technically, my first shift ever. Didn’t really do much saving, but I did help an old lady cross the street.

During my break, I picked up the costume I ordered at SuperStyle! It’s a bright blue spandex one-piece with a black belt. And on the chest, there’s a B outlined in black and filled in with white. I spent the second half of my shift wearing it and it felt amazing.

That afternoon, I helped a kid who was lost find his parents. When he saw me in my new fit, he asked to take a picture with me. He then asked who I was, to which I replied “Boulder.” And he said, and I quote, “Wow!” There was a sense of awe and wonder in his eyes that I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

June 20

MY FIRST REAL SAVE! I was walking to the gas station for a late night snack, when I caught a guy hijacking a car in a nearby lot. I told him to stop, and when he didn’t, I tackled him to the ground and called the police. The authorities now know the mighty name of “Boulder”.

I’m gonna work evening hours from now on. I think I’ll catch more criminals that way.

June 23

I almost got kidnapped for a fifth time this year. Key word: almost. Two people woke me up in the middle of the night, grabbing me by the arms and putting a bag over my head. It was almost embarrassing how quickly I’d taken them to the ground. I called the police to bring them to jail, and they commended me for my good work on their way out.

I can’t even begin to describe how good that felt.

July 7

Life update. So it’s been a few weeks and the whole superhero thing is going fairly well. I’ve been saving people left and right. I also got my first sponsor the other day, so I’m finally getting some pay. Also I’m pretty popular in the neighbourhood, and people downtown know me sorta well too. Feels good to gain some traction.

July 10

The dumbest thing happened the other day. A woman came up to me while I was on patrol, crying about how she’d locked her dog in her car with her keys. Easy enough right? I smashed the front window to unlock the door, which should’ve gotten me a thank you. But she was pissed and wanted me to pay for the window! And now she’s suing me for property damage! I literally saved her dog’s life and she’s suing me.

Mom and dad are handling it with the lawyers, but they’re really pissed at me since this superhero thing is costing more than I’m earning. I told them I’d pay them back, but they don’t believe me. They don’t believe I can make a living out of this. I can’t wait to prove them wrong.

July 16

I met some other supers at a crime scene this morning and they invited me to a house party tonight. I played drinking games, danced a bit, and made even more friends. It felt like a redo of high school, but this time, I wasn’t the kid getting ignored in the halls, who had to essentially bribe his way through his friendships. I was somebody.

And also at this party, I met my second sponsor! I’m making my way up.

July 23

Some saves I made today: stopped a bank robbery, pushed a car out of a ditch, caught a wallet thief, rescued a cat from a tree, and took down some graffiti vandals.

Frankly, it was exhausting. Boring, even. I get why some supers just keep their crime radios off. That was a joke, for the record. But still.

Instead, I changed my schedule from eight to four hours a day because it's getting to be a lot. Most of these saves didn’t even involve rescuing people, and could have been handled by anyone really.

During my break though, I went to this bar where I was recognized and asked to do a trick. I lifted a table and spun it on my finger like a basketball. People watching seemed really impressed, especially this one woman. She talked to me after and gave me her number. So good day overall.

July 28

Today on patrol, I caught a thief who’s been stealing flowers off of people's porches. I wish I was making this up.

July 29

I’ve decided not to keep to a schedule anymore. No more street patrols. I’m only gonna answer the crime radio and phone calls. Most of the crime I stop comes from calls anyway. I think if people are in danger enough, I’ll get word of it. Also, I’m gonna keep my eyes peeled on my drives to and from my friends’ places and parties and whatnot.

August 10

Haven’t written in a while. The job’s been fine. I make saves here and there.

Went to another killer party tonight, though. I love being a super.

August 11

Dad yelled at me today because he caught me sleeping through the day. As far as he knows, I could have been making saves all night!

Being a super is hard work in general. And there’s so many crimes in this stupid city, I can’t possibly stop them all every second of the day.

August 13

I made a huge save today. Like, major. I heard on my crime radio that a car had gotten into an accident and flipped down a hill. It was just by coincidence that it happened so close to home and that I was already on my way out.

I found the mini van lying upside down in a field of grass with smoke coming out of the hood. As quickly as I could, I ripped the doors off the car and pulled a family of five straight out. A set of parents, two toddlers and a baby. It took no time for the car to catch fire, but by then, everyone was safe.

People quickly began gathering and they were cheering for me. I felt really proud of myself in that moment.

Oh, and the family was okay overall. Definitely a lot of injuries. And they inhaled so much smoke. But, I’m just glad I could get them out of that car alive.

August 15

The mayor of Magna City called today. I’m getting the key to the city! Getting this call was so surreal. I feel like I worked so hard to get to this moment. My big save the other day really impacted a lot of people. I didn’t realise how big of an influence I could be.

Mom and dad said they were proud of me. That was the first time they’d ever said that.

August 22

So I’m minutes away from leaving the house to attend one of the most important events of my career. And something just came up on the radio — updates on a missing persons case.

This person had been missing all week, taken from their bed in the middle of the night, so their absence wasn’t news. However, the radio said they’d been spotted in my neighbourhood, and that any super that was available should join the search.

If I’m being honest, I think they’ll be fine. There are so many supers out there. Surely, someone will help them.

Getting the key to the city is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I can’t afford to miss. Everyone will be there. My friends, my sponsors, my parents. Everyone who ever doubted I could be somebody will see just how wrong they were. I worked so hard for this. I deserve this.